Dear Common Dreams Readers: Common Dreams is a small non-profit that exists only because of the support of our readers. No advertising; no paywalls: our content is free. But our costs are real. A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy. Independent journalism and democracy itself have never been more fragile, more at risk than now. Without your support, we will not exist. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future?Every donation makes a difference.

Oil Addiction: Gas Price Spikes Threaten Americans' Wallets

New Analysis Shows States Most Dependent Upon Oil for Transportation Would Be Hardest Hit by Price Shocks

WASHINGTON - As many energy experts are predicting
that gas prices will rise nationally to more than $3 per gallon this
spring, a new study shows the heavy toll these spikes would have on
Americans' wallets. The economic white paper, "Ranking States Oil
Vulnerability: Assessing the Continued Threat of Gas Price Spikes,"
examines the impact of a gas price spike similar to the summer of 2008
in states across the country.

The data reveals that
drivers in all states are dependent on oil for their transportation
needs, but some states are more vulnerable to oil price increases than
others. Drivers in the most vulnerable states will be particularly hard
hit in the event of another spike in the price of gasoline, which is
one of the economic risks Americans face due to the country's
dependence on oil.

"Our ongoing oil addiction is
draining our wallets and our economy, and rising gas prices will only
add to this burden," said Deron Lovaas, transportation expert at the
Natural Resources Defense Council. "That's why we need to move forward
with clean energy and climate solutions that will not only strengthen
our national security and our environment, but will also help
revitalize our economy."

Even without an oil price shock, there is a major gulf between the nation's 10 most vulnerable states and the 10 least vulnerable. The 10 most
vulnerable states are (from most to least): Mississippi, Montana,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, Maine, Georgia
and Idaho. The 10 least vulnerable states are (from most to
least): Florida, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Colorado, New
Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut (least
vulnerable). (See the full report with a complete list of states' data:http://docs.nrdc.org/energy/files/ene_10031601a.pdf.)

"The
impacts of gasoline prices in the midst of a struggling economy make it
clear that our country needs to reduce its dependence on oil," said
Elizabeth Hogan, analyst at David Gardiner and Associates and the
author of the report. "By promoting more efficient vehicles, clean
fuels, smart growth, and public transportation, our government can put
an end to our unhealthy addiction that pinches our wallets and
threatens our national security and the environment."

In
order to cut America's dependence on oil and help reduce the risk of
oil and gas price spikes, the report recommends the following policies
for the U.S. Congress:

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

Further

In the vile wake of Charlottesville - those sweaty young white men, pasty faces contorted, screaming, "Blood and Soil!" "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" "Fuck You Faggots!" - what to say? Just this: This is racism, domestic terrorism, pure hate. This is not who we are, and this is not ok. Most vital, those "whose pigmentation matches theirs" must speak "with unflinching clarity (or) we simply amen it... They need white faces speaking directly into their white faces, loudly on behalf of love."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

X

Your Support Makes A Difference: Over 90% of the Common Dreams budget comes from reader support. We rely on you. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future? We can't do it without you.